Twelve Indicted in Alleged Newark Drug Ring

Twelve members of a drug ring linked to the Bloods street gang have been indicted on weapons and drug offenses, New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced Friday.

Those arrested are accused of selling heroin and cocaine in two of Newark's grittiest neighborhoods — Chadwick Corridor and Fabyan Place.

The indictments, handed up this month, stem from an 18-month investigation conducted by the state Division of Criminal Justice and the Boonton and Newark police departments.

Dow said Ameer Thompson, 29, of Newark, controlled the ring, while Cardiea Harrell, 34, of Edison, and Aaron Watson, 34, of Newark, supplied the drugs, using Watson's city apartment on Rose Terrace as a "stash house" in the Chadwick Corridor.

Thompson was charged with second-degree conspiracy to distribute narcotics, according to the indictments. Harrell and Watson, who were arrested last June, were charged with conspiracy, money laundering and drug offenses, including a charge of first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

A third man, who allegedly supplied heroin, Sirajj Vickers, 30, of Tobyhanna, Pa., was charged with second-degree conspiracy and second- and third-degree drug offenses.

Also charged with second-degree conspiracy and various second- and third-degree drug offenses were: Taliah Andrews, 30, of Newark; Omar Glover, 30, of Newark; Angie Andrews, 48, of Newark (Taliah's mother); Weejah Andrews, 31, of Newark (Taliah's sister); Shawn Wallace, 29, of Newark; Johnetta Seagle, 39, of Newark; Jahlil Shariah, 25, of Newark (Taliah's brother); and Jason Lovejoy, 30, of Fords.

Dow said the operation revealed Andrews allegedly functioned as a dealer and supplier of drugs to "numerous other people," working from her home on Fabyan Place in Newark, which she shared with her mother, sister and brother.

During the investigation, dubbed "Operation Red Storm," authorities seized at least $125,000 worth of heroin, more than a kilogram of cocaine, more than $60,000 in cash, four semi-automatic handguns and an assault rifle, according to Dow. The attorney general said nearly 30 other people face charges stemming from the operation.

It was unclear late Friday whether the 12 people indicted were still in custody.

If convicted, some of the alleged members face up to 20 years in prison.

— Staff reports